the religious reforms of Shah

Waliullah and his role in the political

and religious context of the time
• Shah Wail Ullah (1703-1762)
•
• Introduction
• Shah WaliUllah was born on 21 February 1703 during the reign
of Aurangzeb his real name was Qutub-ud-din but became
famous as Shah Wali-Ullah his father was Shah Abdul Rahim
who founded Madrassa Rahimiya in Delhi his father died in
1718.

In 1724 Shah WaliUllah went to Arabia to perform Hajj. He

studied under famous scholar Sheikh Abu Tahir bin Ibrahim
and returned to Delhi in 1732.
• Beliefs
• He belief that the Muslims were facing decline not
because of weak leadership but because of Muslim
community itself. He believed that many Muslims did
not have complete knowledge of Quranic teachings.

• A major problem was that Muslims were divided into

Shias and Sunnis and fought with themselves. It was
necessary to follow Islamic teachings into every
aspect of life.
• Work

• He worked hard to ensure that he was a role model for every Muslim.
He translated Quran into Persian because many people were unfamiliar
with Arabic. Later his sons, Shah Abdul Qader and Shah Rafi, translated
Quran into Urdu so more and more people could gain Islamic
knowledge. He wrote fifty one books in Persian and Arabic. Amongst the
most famous were Hujjatullah-ul-Baligha and Izalat-Akhfa.

• He also wrote an account of the first four caliphs of Islam in a way that
was acceptable to both Shias and Sunnis. In economics he emphasised
the need for social justice and for peasants and craftsmen to be truly
valued for their contribution to the economy
• . His most important contributions to the Muslim
community was his organization of opposition to the
Marathas, who were threatening to over-run the Mughal
Empire from the south. It was to call together the divinities
among Muslims and unite them for Jihad. He wrote a letter
to Afghan King Ahmad Shah Abdali and joined local forces
with local Muslim leaders and defeated the Marathas in the
Battle of Panipat in 1761. However, despite encouragement
from Shah WaliUllah, the Muslim leaders did not unite to
take advantage of the defeat of the Marathas. Perhaps if
they had done so, the Muslims would not have soon found
themselves under Non-Muslim rule.
• Importance
• Shah WaliUllah was one of the first thinkers to state that
the decline of Mughal Empire and the vulnerable position
of the Muslims were due to a neglect of the principles of
Islam.

• He showed how this regeneration might take place. The

Madrassa continued to play a vital role in teaching Islamic
principles and researching Islamic thought. He believed
that Muslims could prosper if they followed proper
Islamic customs and did not indulge in social evils.
• His writing gave large number of Muslims a chance to
study their religion and understand its teachings. He
gave Muslims inspiration to lead a pure simple Life. He
showed that Muslims had to concentrate more on basic
principle rather than finding the difference which would
lead them in the conflict among them.

• He tried to oppose Maratha and unite the Muslim under

a common enemy. Many future leaders were inspired by
his teachings. And fight for the good of Muslim
community.
• Chapter 1
• - What did Shah Waliulllah think were the main
causes of the problems of the Muslims?
• Weak leadership
• Incomplete knowledge of the Quran and Islam in
general
• No access of the Quranic teachings
• Division of Muslims in Sectarian groups
• Un-islamic principles of life
• What did he believe was essential to create a
good society?
• Get complete knowledge of Quran and islam
• All aspects of principles should be Islamic
• Put aside the differences
• Follow moral and spiritual principles of islam
• - Why were the writings of Shah Waliullah
important?
• . He wrote many books about fifty one
• . His writings helped to remove differences
between Muslims.
• . His writings helped him to have influence on
other areas too such as in economics
• What role did he play in opposing the
Marathas?
• Encouraged Muslims
• He wrote to all Muslim nobles
• Persuaded Ahmed Shah Abdali to intervene
• . Defeated Sikhs and Marathas
 Why is Shah Waliullah considered an important reformer? Or Why is
Shah Waliullah’s work considered important for Muslims/ for the
revival of Islam?
• Shah Waliullah is considered an important reformer because of
three main reasons. First, he was the only person who thought
deeply about the problems faced by Muslims in the Mughal Empire
and stated that it was due to the lack of Quranic teachings and
Islam.
• Second, being a highly knowledgeable person he wrote fifty one
books in Persian and Arabic with the account of four caliphs of
Islam in a way that was acceptable to both Shias and Sunnis which
helped to remove differences between them.
• Third, he not only thought about the conditions of Muslims but
showed with his actions, he organized a opposition to the
Marathas and Sikhs who were threatening to attack the Muslim
Empire and over run it but finally defeated in the second battle of
Panipat.
• _Why did Shah Waliullah translate the Holy
Quran into Persian?
• Shah Waliullah translated the Holy Quran
because of three main reasons. First, not every
Muslim was able to understand Arabic in that
time and it was important to give them Quranic
teachings so in order to make Quranicteachings
accessible to a larger number of Muslims Shah
Waliullah translated the Holy Quran.
• _ What were the/describe the achievements
of Shah Waliullah?
• Shah Waliullah was a Muslim reformer. He was
the first translater of Quran from Arabic into
Persian. He wrote fifty one books which were
the most famous books. He was highly
knowledgeable person in in the understanding
of Quran, Hadith, Fiqah and Tasawuf.
• _Who was Shah Waliullah?
• . Muslim reformer
• . Born on 21 Feb 1703
• . Son of Shah Abdul Rahim
• . Teacher at Madrassa Rahimya
• Describe the beliefs of Shah Waliullah?
• Shah Waliullah believed that the reform could
not come from the weak leadership in India. He
stated that many problems of Muslims were
due to lack of knowledge of Quran and islam in
general. He wanted Muslims to concentrate on
the Islamic principles and remove differences.
He said political, social and economic behavior
should be based on Islamic principles.
• Describe the works of Shah Waliullah?

• Shah Waliullah was the first Muslim to

translate the Holy Quran into Persia. He had a
good understanding of Quran, Hadith, Fiqah
and tasawuf. He has written fifty one books.
He orgazined opposition to the British.